Dinnerware Diary

Tips for Decorating Your Winter Table

Hello from Ross and Pinot the Blog Dog, and best wishes of the Season! As you're preparing your tableware and decorations for holiday guests, take a moment to read these great money-saving ideas from Replacements, Ltd. design specialist, Dubravka Vujinovic. In addition to having a last name that's really hard to spell, Dubravka is incredibly talented and creative. Everytime she leads a seminar at our facilities, there are always "ooohs" and "aaahs" in the audience when she demonstrates her simple steps to creating decorations that are lovely, out-of-the-ordinary, and money-saving, too!

"Think outside the box," is the advice that Replacements, Ltd. design specialist Dubravka Vujinovic always gives to anyone who wants to spruce up holiday decorations, but doesn't have a lot of money.

"Do you have serving pieces in the china cabinet gathering dust? Those could be the start of the perfect centerpiece. A great idea that's also really easy is to fill a soup tureen or large serving bowl with flowers, greenery, or colorful holiday ornaments to complement your napkins or china," Dubravka said. "You can do something similar with your sugar bowl, or even fill water goblets or tumblers with greenery to use at each place setting."

"Many people fall into the trap of thinking they need to rush out and buy an entire holiday pattern," Dubravka said, "when just adding festive salad or accent plates can actually give your table an entire new seasonal look. Many dinnerware manufacturers complement their year-round patterns with coordinating holiday accent plates."

Dubravka Vujinovic leads Replacements, Ltd. seminar.
 

Dubravka's Quick Tips

Mix old and new china patterns, or combine your formal dinnerware with more casual pieces. For instance, use a colorful earthenware dinner plate from the Homer Laughlin Fiesta collection as a charger to add more "pop" to a delicate china pattern.

Ornaments aren't just for holiday trees. Decorate each place setting with ornaments. This bright infusion of color will not only add sparkle to your table, you can give them to your guests as keepsakes from your special evening.

Fill silver bowls with water and float candles for evening entertaining. Instead of flowers, fill clear vases with cranberries, lemons or greenery in water. 

Look outdoors. Use seasonal greenery, including holly, running cedar, magnolia leaves, and pine cones on the table to add color and contrast.

Dubravka's most important tip? "Relax, have fun with your decorations, and enjoy your friends and family this holiday!"

 

Wishing you and all your loved ones the happiest of holidays, it's Ross and Pinot the Blog Dog, signing off! Don't forget to visit our web site, and let us hear from you by e-mail at ross.howell@replacements.com.

 

Wizard of Oz Collectibles

Hello from Ross and Pinot the Blog Dog! Released in August 1939, the motion picture "The Wizard of Oz" is being celebrated in 70th anniversary DVDs, high definition films and videos, Blu-ray releases, online newsletters, blogs, chat groups, cable TV, print and broadcast news stories, and more. Many consider the movie to be among the best 10 films of all time.

Here are some out-of-the-ordinary gifts to add to the collection of a "Wizard of Oz" fan, whether it's for your own collection, or a gift for someone special.

This collector's plate bears a wonderful likeness of the young Judy Garland, just 16 years old when "The Wizard of Oz" was released.

"Dorothy," Hamilton Collection "Portraits from Oz."

Did Margaret Hamilton nail that "Wicked Witch of the West" role, or what? I still get goosebumps when I hear that trademark cackle. Hamilton, a character actor known for her plain looks and spinster manner, remained independent of the studios her entire career. She once joked in an interview: "I was in a need of money at the time, and my agent called. I said, 'Yes?' and he said 'Maggie, they want you to play a part on the Wizard.' I said to myself, 'Oh Boy, The Wizard of Oz! That has been my favorite book since I was four.' And I asked him what part, and he said 'The Witch' and I said 'The Witch?!' and he said 'What else?'"

"Wicked Witch of the East," Franklin Mint "Wizard of Oz."

Now this is our kind of witch - actress Billie Burke played the role of Glinda, the Good Witch in "The Wizard of Oz." Remembered for her beauty and lilting voice, Burke was 53 years old when she played the part of Glinda. She was fond of remarking, "Age doesn't matter, unless you are cheese!"

"No Place like Home," Lenox China "Wizard of Oz."

Actor Bert Lahr left his New York school to join a vaudeville act at the age of 15. Successful on stage and screen, he played the role of the Cowardly Lion in "The Wizard of Oz." In a delightful figurine from Department 56, he's crowned King of the Forest, reprising the scene from the movie.

"King of the Forest," Department 56 "Wizard of Oz."

Pinot reminded me not to omit the most important star of "The Wizard of Oz," Toto. In Frank Baum's book, Toto was a male, but in the movie, his role was played by "Terry," a female Cairn terrier. Pinot always says if you want a job done right, get a woman to do it!

If you have a question or comment about china, crystal, flatware (sterling, silverplate, stainless), or collectibles, contact us at

ross.howell@replacements.com.

We look forward to hearing from you! 

Ross and Pinot the Blog Dog 

Halloween Pumpkins

Hello from Ross and Pinot the Blog Dog!  Great Pumpkin?  Good Grief, Charlie Brown!  No need to search pumpkin patch after pumpkin patch to find just the right one for your Halloween celebration - just look for yours at Replacements, Ltd.!

 

Replacements, Ltd. has a special Vietri Pumpkin Patch tureen and lid, with ladle, at a very special price.  The large (16 inches by 11 1/2 inches) tureen and lid, with ladle, will be a beautiful addition to your sideboard, buffet, or dining room table this autumn.  Of course it's perfect for your secret-recipe "Witches Brew" for Halloween, and when the skies turn gray in November and December, the bright colors of your tureen will make your "Chicken Pot Pie" soup, hearty Brunswick stew, or "Call the Fire Station" chili even more comforting!  Be sure to take a look at the smaller sized tureen and lid, with ladle, and the beautiful serving platter in Pumpkin Patch by Vietri.  These pieces are great for your table, make lovely accent pieces for your kitchen or china cabinets, and are thoughtful gifts for loved ones.

Pumpkin Patch tureen and lid, with ladle by Vietri.

 

Gorham Crystal gave this pattern a name that's about as descriptive as possible, so we're sure you get the idea!  But just to reinforce your thinking, this clear crystal Trick or Treat pumpkin-shaped candy jar and lid placed on a table next to your front door on Halloween night will be every bit as beautiful as it is practical - you'll show off your treats and you'll be able to see just when you need to replenish your stock!  This candy jar will be a lovely accent piece at Thanksgiving, too!  Our special price is $14.99, an outstanding value for genuine Gorham crystal.  Click on the link to order at our secure, easy-to-use web site, or if you prefer, call toll-free at 1-800-REPLACE (1-800-737-5223) 7 days a week, 8:00am - 10:00pm ET (we answer the phone quickly!).

Trick or Treat Candy Jar by Gorham Crystal.

 

Brilliant, unusual color is the signature of Glass Eye Studio crystal, and their hand blown Perfect Pumpkins collectibles are strikingly lovely.  Our featured piece is entitled "Harvest White Large" and its beautiful harvest colors and glittering green spiraling stem will make it a centerpiece or accessory absolutely beyond compare!  Whether you display it at Halloween or Thanksgiving, family and guests won't be able to stop talking about it.  Our special price is $69.95, a savings of 42% off the MSRP of $120.00.  Don't miss this opportunity, and be sure to look on our secure, easy-to-use web site for the other magnificent collectibles we have in the Perfect Pumpkins series.  If you prefer, call toll-free at 1-800-REPLACE (1-800-737-5223) 8:00am - 10:00pm, ET, 7 days a week (we answer the phone quickly!).

"Harvest White Large," from Perfect Pumpkins by Glass Eye Studio.

Of course, if you simply must commemorate Charlie Brown's Halloween exploits, Linus, Charlie Brown's little sister, Sally, and Snoopy await the arrival of the Great Pumpkin in "The Great Pumpkin Patch" figurine in the Peanuts Figurines collection by Lenox China.  And that's just one of the collectibles!  We have "Snoopy Steals a Kiss" (from Lucy van Pelt, of course), "Giving Thanks" (Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Snoopy celebrate Thanksgiving in traditional Pilgrim garb), and "The Christmas Pageant" (Charlie Brown, Sally, Lucy, Snoopy, Linus, and Woodstock create a Christmas creche), and more.

"The Great Pumpkin Patch" from Lenox China Peanuts Figurines.

 

Get ready for Halloween with just the right pumpkin!  And be sure to visit our web site. You can always e-mail Ross or Pinot the Blog Dog at ross.howell@replacements.com.

 

Ross Howell

 

American Treasures - Metlox, Fostoria, and Oneida

Hello from Ross and Pinot the Blog Dog!  Recently we published an article on Japanese tableware manufacturers and patterns.  Here's some information on historically important U.S. companies and patterns.  Have any china, crystal, silver, or collectibles of particular interest?  Let us know!  We'll see what we can find out for you.

With his bright red, green, and yellow feathers, there's no doubt who's top rooster in the Metlox California Provincial pattern!  Metlox Pottery - also known as Metlox-Poppytrail and Metlox-Poppytrail-Vernonware - is a highly regarded American tableware company that traces its origins to 1921, when T.C. Prouty and his son, Willis, opened "Proutyline Products" in Hermosa Beach, CA.  The company produced architectural tiles using a patented tile body made primarily of talc.  In 1927 the Proutys introduced Metlox as a division - the name "Metlox" combined the words "metal" and "oxide."  Now located in Manhattan Beach, the company added big outdoor ceramic signs to its product mix.  These signs were popular with theaters featuring the works of the burgeoning California film industry.  When demand for the signs dwindled during the Great Depression, Metlox introduced it first line of dinnerware in 1932, continuing production until it closed its doors in 1989.

California Provincial by Metlox.

Fostoria Jamestown-Green is green, pressed glass with a concave, squarish bowl that features swirling, spiral panels on the side. The twist stem echoes the shapes of the panels on the bowl, and the foot is round. Even with its square shape, the curves in this pattern are organic and elegant. Founded in Fostoria, OH, in 1887, the Fostoria company relocated to Moundsville, WV, shortly thereafter, because of that region's abundant natural resources. Jamestown-Green was one of four colors in the Jamestown pattern to be released in 1958 - green, amber, blue, and clear - additions to a line of popular colored-glass stemware introduced by Fostoria in the 1920s. After meeting decades of stiff foreign competition with classic designs and innovative glass-making methods, Fostoria operations were shut down by its parent company, Lancaster Colony, in 1983. Fostoria glass is highly sought-after by collectors today.

Jamestown-Green by Fostoria.

Oneida Paul Revere satin-finish stainless steel bears the name of the famous patriot who made his living as a silversmith, and features a design reminiscent of the American Colonial period.  One of our most popular Oneida flatware patterns, with more than 8,000 individuals having registered their interest, Paul Revere was introduced in 1959.  A production run of 50 years and counting, with quite a few changes in culture and style along the way - is testimony to the quality of Oneida!  The company grew out of the original Oneida Community founded in upstate New York by John Humphrey Noyes more than 150 years ago. The Christian communal society was based upon the principles of individual self-perfection and shared property. Women bore the same duties as men, and individual responsibilities varied daily. Many inventions were developed at Oneida - including some of the world's most recognizable and beautifully designed flatware.

Paul Revere stainless by Oneida.

Inventory staff in our warehouse at Replacements, Ltd. have been busy checking in some great new items for the fall season - especially for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  Pinot and I will be doing some research so we can pass along information to you.

Meanwhile, be sure to visit our web site, or e-mail Pinot or me at ross.howell@replacements.com.  Talk to you again soon.

Ross Howell 

Japanese Tableware Design Artistry

Hello from Pinot the Blog Dog!

Our Replacements, Ltd. showroom staff has already started preparations for our big Sidewalk Sale September 18-20, so if you live nearby (we're located just outside Greensboro, NC) or your travels to the beach or mountains are bringing you through, be sure to mark your calendars.  We'll have great deals on special sets from Lenox China and Johnson Brothers, and other big savings, too!  (Did I mention we have extra special pet bowls from a variety of patterns?)  We'll see you in September!

Watching as staff decides where to locate pallets on the sidewalk.

Here are some more interesting patterns from our inventory.  Each of these beautiful, high-quality dinnerware designs is produced by a Japanese manufacturer.

Noritake Sonoma Gardens is whiteware with grape clusters, cherries, and apples on the rim that spill onto the verge (where the center of the plate joins the rim).  Noritake, which excels in fruit and floral designs like Royal Orchard and Azalea, was founded in 1876 as "Morimura Brothers" by Baron Ichizaemon Morimura IV and Yutaka Morimura.  With offices in Tokyo and New York, the company exported curios, paper lanterns, and other items.  Visiting the Paris World Fair in 1900, the baron decided to produce fine dinnerware for export to the U.S. Noritake shipped its first china to the U.S. market in 1910.  After World War II (its exports to the U.S. had been cut off during the war years), Noritake focused on designs reflecting U.S. culture and design, and in 1948 Noritake ware again became available in the U.S.

 
Noritake Sonoma Gardens. 

Noritake Crystal Sweet Swirl-Lilac is elegant crystal with a swirled stem and curved panels on a convex bowl that flares at the top.  Noritake produces many crystal patterns designed to complement Noritake dinnerware. The company's crystal and glassware collection includes handmade, mouth-blown, and machine-made stems.  The Sweet Swirl pattern is emblematic of Noritake's success in the U.S. market.  Replacements, Ltd. currently has 16 variations of Sweet Swirl on file - colors range from black to lemon, from gray to light green, from amber to peach.  Sweet Swirl-Lilac was manufactured 1985-1988.  The most successful Sweet Swirl colors - clear, dark blue, light blue, and light green - were manufactured for two decades, 1985-2005.  In the highly competitive tableware market, many companies would enjoy emulating the success of Noritake Crystal!

 
Noritake Crystal Sweet Swirl-Lilac. 

Yamazaki Silver Old Denmark is high-quality, satin-finish stainless steel with round, sculpted handles featuring elegant ring designs.  The name of the pattern is no doubt a wink and a nod to Danish flatware manufacturers, who often employ broader tines in their forks, and give flared, non-traditional shapes to knife blades and spoons - design traits evident in Old Denmark.  This Yamazaki design is superbly made - a complement to a wide range of china and crystal.  From unique flatware patterns featuring sculpted handles with carefully finished tines, bowls and blades, to specialized serving pieces of generous size, each Yamazaki Silver pattern is designed to enhance both the appearance of the table setting and the enjoyment of the meal.  The company offers a wide range of stainless styles, from light-weight designs to heavier, more formal patterns, from glossy finishes to satin-finish designs.  Distinctive gold trim stainless designs are also available.

 
Yamazaki Silver Old Denmark.

Remember that you can always contact Ross and me by e-mailing at ross.howell@replacements.com.  Let us hear from you!  And be sure to visit our web site.  Talk to you again soon!

Pinot the Blog Dog

Prestigious Mottahedeh Reproductions

Hello from Pinot the Blog Dog!

We just had a great "Christmas in July" celebration in our showroom.  All kinds of items were offered at great savings, and Santa drew the name of a lucky showroom visitor who won a $500.00 Replacements, Ltd. gift card.  So many people signed up for showroom supervisor Jill Slatter's "Dining Etiquette" seminar that we had to schedule two programs!  And lots of people came in to take advantage of our Silver Repair Clinic, when our silversmiths inspected sterling and silverplate and gave people estimates on the cost to repair and restore the items at no charge. Click on this link to get more "Christmas in July" information.  And next year, be sure to come for a visit yourself!

 
Santa draws $500.00 gift card winner!

We have great Patterns of the Week selections for you!

Mottahedeh Canton is high-quality reproduction china of an early blue-and-white porcelain pattern from Asia.  Mildred Mottahedeh, who founded Mottahedeh & Company in New York City with her husband, began collecting Asian porcelain, jade, and bronze in 1929.  The couple's collection came to hold more than 2,000 items, and was considered to be one of the finest collections in the world.  Mottahedeh used
pieces from her collection as models for exquisite porcelain reproductions of the original Chinese wares.  Her company became one of the most prestigious porcelain manufacturers in the world, producing pieces for the Metropolitan Museum and Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris.  Mottahedeh monteiths (punch bowls), bearing the great seal of the United States,
were presented as gifts to visiting heads of state by President Ronald Reagan.

 
Mottahedeh Canton china.
   
Wedgwood Crystal Dynasty features polished, geometric dot and panel cuts on its flared, squarish bowl - the stem is multi-sided, with a round foot.  Introduced by Wedgwood in 1981, Dynasty crystal was manufactured for 9 years.  Its shape is classic!  For the Wedgwood company, 2009 is a special year - the firm is celebrating its 250th anniversary. In 1759, Josiah Wedgwood established himself as an
independent potter at the "Ivy House Works" in Burslem, England. During his career, he made many refinements in the production processes for porcelain dinnerware.  Today, the Wedgwood company's patterns sometimes feature shell designs.  Wedgwood's personal passion was conchology, the study of mollusk shells. He often was seen on the beaches of England, collecting specimens. Wedgwood used these organic shapes in many of the original designs and patterns for his tableware and figurines.

 
Wedgwood Crystal Dynasty.

Take a look at the classical scroll and plume designs in Towle Queen Elizabeth I  sterling, and you'll understand why the pattern, introduced in 1970, is still in production.  More than 5,000 individuals have registered their interest in Queen Elizabeth I with Replacements, Ltd., and Towle is one of our most popular silver makers.  The company is founded on the craftsmanship and artistry of the Moulton
family of England, who over six generations of silver making, raised their artisanship to a high art. A young man named Anthony Towle would join William Moulton IV as an apprentice. When Moulton retired, Towle and a partner, William Jones, bought the Moulton family stock and formed Towle & Jones in 1857. With such a long history and distinguished tradition, Towle's Queen Elizabeth I is a pattern that resonates with skill and pride in craft.

 
Towle Queen Elizabeth I sterling.

If you'd like to get in touch with me, Pinot the Blog Dog, or with Ross, my assistant, e-mail us at ross.howell@replacements.com.  And whenever we can help you with china, crystal, silver, collectibles, or any need you might have in tableware, be sure to visit our web site.  Talk to you soon!

Pinot the Blog Dog

Interesting Newspaper Article

Hello from Pinot the Blog Dog!  Recently a story appeared in the Greensboro News & Observer about the highway billboard at Replacements, Ltd. and an interesting approach to job-hunting in the current economy.  This is the link.

Here's a picture of the puppy, Josh, and me playing together.  He's growing like crazy!  He's way bigger than I am now.  He's going to be our Featured Pet in the next Replacements, Ltd. Broadcast Newsletter.  I'll send you the link when the article is published.  You'll see how big he is then!

 

Remember to visit Replacements, Ltd. whenever we can help you with any item you need in china, crystal, silver (sterling, silverplate, and stainless steel), or collectibles.  Questions?  E-mail Pinot or Ross at 
ross.howell@replacments.com.

Talk to you soon!

Pinot the Blog Dog 

 

 

Beautiful Dinnerware Patterns

Hello from Pinot the Blog Dog!

Here's a picture of my new buddy, "Joshua."  Everybody calls him "Josh."  He works in Fulfillment Operations at Replacements, Ltd., with his human, April (we're a pet-friendly workplace).  He's a puppy, as you can see, and he is growing faster than you can imagine!  He's already pretty good on the keyboard, but I'm going to have to keep working with him on his grammar and punctuation.  And he keeps forgetting to back up his files!

  
Josh and his beanie baby

Each week at Replacements, Ltd. we feature three patterns in china, crystal, and flatware that are especially interesting because of their design and history.  Here are the patterns from this week.

Beautiful Names, Beautiful Designs

Beautifully named Amapola (Spanish for “poppy”) by Villeroy & Boch features exquisitely rendered, embossed poppy designs on the rim that spill onto the well of the plate.  Concentric, intertwined green stems on the rim complete the design.  Amapola is a showcase pattern for Germany’s Villeroy & Boch, founded in 1748.  Its longevity is not the only rare characteristic of the company in a modern corporate world.  Despite the ravages of World War I and the Second World War, Villeroy & Boch remains a family owned company; the eighth generation of the founders actively creates and produces tableware designs.  Villeroy & Boch is the world’s largest producer of ceramics.  Its wares include egg cups, bath tubs, the tiles in New York City’s Holland Tunnel, and table settings for the Vatican in Rome.

 
Villeroy & Boch Amapola

Another beautifully named pattern is Cambridge Caprice-Moonlight Blue.  This crystal shimmers like moonlight!  Produced by Cambridge from 1937 to 1953, the light blue, swirled optic design features a knobbed and ribbed stem with round foot.  The Cambridge Glass Company was founded in 1873, when a group of businessmen from the town of Cambridge, OH, decided to charter a glass-producing facility.  A factory opened its doors in 1902.  Most of Cambridge’s early designs were heavy, pressed-glass patterns.  Arthur J. Bennett, an Englishman, was hired to manage the Cambridge factory.  Bennett would design many of the company’s most successful patterns, and ultimately acquired the firm.  Some of the firm’s most successful patterns and colors were introduced under Bennett’s leadership.  Competition from overseas forced Cambridge to shut its doors in 1958.

  
Cambridge Caprice-Moonlight Blue

Introduced in 1941, Lunt Silver American Victorian is scallop-shaped sterling with magnificent scroll and floral designs.  It’s a lovely complement to the poppy design and swirled optic effect of Amapola and Caprice-Moonlight Blue.  Lunt was founded as the A. F. Towle & Son Mfg. Co. in 1880 in Newburyport, MA.  Towle and his son left the company and built a new factory in Newburyport under the name A.F. Towle & Son Company.  After moving to Greenfield, MA, in 1890, the firm diversified.  It went into automobile manufacturing and produced one of the first “horseless carriages” in America.  Lack of financing caused the endeavor to fail, and George C. Lunt, who had been apprenticed to Towle, obtained financial assistance and established Rogers, Lunt & Bowlen Co., in 1902.  Since 1935 the company has used the trade-name Lunt Silversmiths.

 
Lunt Silver American Victorian

Visit our web site, and remember that you can always e-mail me, Pinot the Blog Dog, or Ross, at ross.howell@replacements.com.  Hope you are having a good summer and see you again soon!

Pinot the Blog Dog

Fourth of July Holiday

Hello from Ross and Pinot the Blog Dog!

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”   It’s easy for us to forget that the founding fathers signed their lives away as traitors when the Declaration of Independence was made public on July 4, 1776.

As we Americans look forward to hot dogs, fireworks, and perhaps a baseball game, let’s honor the day with special reverence and bright hopes for the future in what are hard times for many.  To help you prepare for your Fourth of July celebration, our Replacements, Ltd., founder and CEO, Bob Page, and our inventory specialists have put together a selection of items from our 13,000,000-piece inventory to help you make this the best Independence Day celebration ever!  Have a look at these items.

 
Nikko An America for All Seasons 82-Piece Set – 80% Off MSRP!
A blue-and-white celebration inspired by the art of Charles Wysocki, our special Nikko An America for All Seasons 82-piece set includes 12 dinner plates, 12 soup/pasta bowls, 24 salad/dessert plates (6 of each in 4 different motifs – autumn, winter, spring, and summer), and 24 mugs (6 of each in 4 different motifs, as with the salad/dessert plates), along with 1 creamer, 1 sugar bowl and lid, 1 salad serving bowl, 1 round serving platter (12 inches), 1 sauce boat (open), 1 salt and pepper set, and 1 cookie jar and lid.  The price is $229.95, a savings of 80% off the retail price of $1,132.00.  Follow the link to our secure, easy-to-use web site, or call us for more information toll-free at 1-800-REPLACE (1-800-737-5223) 8:00am - 10:00pm, ET, 7 days a week.  Call now – these sets will go quickly!

 
Pfaltzgraff Heritage White 3-Piece Canister Set – Lovely and Useful
For your kitchen counter, sideboard, or hutch, the paneled white stoneware shapes of our Pfaltzgraff Heritage White 3-piece canister set will make lovely accents, and you’ll use them so often you’ll wonder how you ever got along without them!  For your big Fourth of July backyard cookout, you could use the largest canister for flowers and the other two for big dill pickles and special dressings.  They’ll look beautiful on your picnic table with bunting or small American flags!  And don’t forget red, white, and blue balloons for the kids!  The price for our special 3-piece canister set is $44.99, a savings of 44% off the MSRP of $80.00.  Follow the link to our secure, easy-to-use web site, or call us toll-free at 1-800-REPLACE (1-800-737-5223) 8:00am - 10:00pm, ET, 7 days a week. 

Lenox Crystal Holiday Gems-Ruby 4-Piece Set, Stemless Wine
There won’t be any problem spotting the red on your red, white, and blue Independence Day table!  Ruby-red stemless wine glasses (4 3/8 inches tall) from Lenox Crystal will add spectacular color to your spread - and they’re the ideal size and shape to handle any beverage, from milk to iced tea, from apple juice to wine, from lemonade to punch.  Our special price for the Holiday Gems-Ruby 4-piece set of stemless crystal wine glasses is $19.99, a savings of 31% off the MSRP of $29.00.  Be sure to browse our web site for the other beautiful pieces we have in the Holiday Gems-Ruby pattern, with red bowls and clear crystal stems and feet.  Just follow the link to our secure, easy-to-use web site, or call us toll-free at 1-800-REPLACE (1-800-737-5223) 8:00am - 10:00pm, ET, 7 days a week.

 
20-Piece Stainless Flatware Set, Oneida Tortola – 65% Off!
The handsome, clean design of Oneida Tortola features a flat tip and two beads near the utensil – its distinctive shape will enhance any table, indoors or out!  Our special set includes 4 dinner knives, 4 dinner forks, 4 salad forks, 4 teaspoons, and 4 place/oval soup spoons for a price of $29.99, a savings of 65% off the MSRP of $86.12.  This is a great “starter” set for your new graduate or for a young couple just setting up their household – they’ll use your durable Oneida stainless steel gift for years to come!  Follow the link to our web site and browse our selection of Oneida Tortola place setting and serving pieces, or call toll-free at 1-800-REPLACE (1-800-737-5223) 8:00am - 10:00pm, ET, 7 days a week.  A phone associate will be delighted to help you!

In a couple of days, Pinot the Blog Dog and I will have more items to suggest for your July 4th weekend. Until then, remember you can e-mail us anytime at ross.howell@replacements.com, or visit our Replacements, Ltd. web site.

Ross Howell and Pinot the Blog Dog

Grosvenor "Merlin" Mystery - Can You Help Us Solve It?

Hello again from Ross and Pinot the Blog Dog! 

Not long after we posted the article about the Grosvenor Merlin china in the estate of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, we heard from individuals who have a set of this beautiful and rare dinnerware. They were kind enough to share pictures of a selection of pieces in the set. We’re posting some of their images here. The shapes of the serving pieces are especially attractive!

Grosvenor Merlin coffee pot (left) and teapot (right). Private collection.

Creamer (left) and sugar bowl and lid (right), Grosvenor Merlin. Private collection.

The Merlin set was purchased ca. 1993 for just $100.00! (Right now, Replacements, Ltd. is charging $69.95 for a single cup and saucer set! We’re posting images of the cup and saucer, along with the backstamp, from our inventory.) The person who sold the set was an individual who inherited it from her great aunt, but didn’t like china. The great aunt, who was in her mid-90s, had recently passed away (1993). The person who inherited and sold the Merlin pieces thought that her great-aunt had gotten married sometime in the 1920s.

Grosvenor Merlin coffee cup (footed) and saucer. Replacements, Ltd. collection.

Backstamp, Grosvenor Merlin. Replacements, Ltd. collection.

In their research, our readers said they also had learned that pieces of the Merlin pattern with the backstamp, Tiffany & Co., had been sold on an internet auction site. Often, retailers will commission production of items in china or silver that bear their imprint, and will market those items exclusively at their stores. That is no doubt the case with the Tiffany & Co. Merlin. But we have no information on the production date of the Tiffany & Co. backstamp Merlin, either.

Hello, readers! Do any of you have more information about either the Tiffany & Co. backstamp, or the Grosvenor company, or any other material that might help us date the production years of this beautiful Merlin pattern?

If you can help us solve the Grosvenor Merlin mystery, send us an e-mail. We're always pleased to hear from you, whatever the subject! The e-mail address for Ross and Pinot the Blog Dog is ross.howell@replacements.com.  And remember to visit our web site for information on your favorite china, crystal, silver, and collectibles.

Ross Howell and Pinot the Blog Dog